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Toyota

With an ever growing consumer and middle class, people throughout Africa are earning more spending power and love for brand products. Ford seeing the huge market potential, is increasing its investment and presence in Africa. Africa is the last untapped big market for major corporations and Ford has announced 17 new vehicles designed for sub-Saharan Africa. The models, all to be introduced by 2016, draw on Ford’s car heritage and global vehicle architectures deigned for the African consumer in mind.

“Middle East and Africa is the final frontier for global automotive growth,” said Ford’s regional chief Jim Benintende. According to Ford’s projections, car sales are expected to grow by 40% in the coming decade in the region. Ford isn’t the only car manufacturer looking to expand in Africa. PSA Peugeot Citroen, which is French based, reopened closed planet in Nigeria. Chinese brands are also increasing their presence . GM, Toyota, Nissan, and Mercedes-Benz have all over the years paid more attention, increased investment in Africa, after seeing all it’s potential. Ford is making sure that they aren’t left in the slow lane trying to catch up with the competition.

Toyota South Africa has opened the R70-million Toyota Ses’fikile minibus taxi assembly line at its manufacturing plant at Prospecton in Durban, creating 300 new jobs, and the government is keen for other manufacturers to follow suit.

The plant has begun semi knockdown (SKD) production of the popular 16-seater Quantum Ses’fikile, which has one seat more than the imported 15-seater variant.

Ninety new jobs were created in the assembly line’s start-up phase, as well as 210 new positions in up- and downstream suppliers and service providers support the line.

The Ses’fikile joins Toyota South Africa’s local production of the Hilux, Fortuner and Corolla model ranges, which are locallty manufactured, and its entire range of Hino trucks, which are locally assembled, strengthening the company’s position as South Africa’s largest vehicle manufacturer and exporter.

Toyota’s made-in-South Africa models are currently exported to 57 countries, and the Ses’fikile and Hino-ranges are exported to neighbouring Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.

Once the first phase of localisation has been completed, Toyota will have the ability to deliver up to 15 000 Ses’fikile units to the southern African market. Initial production volumes are estimated at 10 000 units.

Good increased manufacturing capacity for South Africa with the addition of the plant. Further cementing a manufacturing base in South Africa, which is Africa’s leader. Past few years manufacturing capacity has grown in South Africa. Past few years Mercedes-Benz opened a plant in East London. With such investments, the South African manufacturing sector, especially in cars and trucks is on a fast track for long term success.